Receive the latest local updates in your inbox

A big mother bear and two cute cubs spent the day in Altadena. Wildlife officials decided to let them head for the hills at their own pace. Conan Nolan reports for the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on May 3, 2012. (Published Friday, May 4, 2012)

A mother bear and her two cubs climbed a tree in an Altadena neighborhood Thursday morning -- then climbed higher after someone started a leaf blower -- and stayed there for a mid-day nap before wandering around the neighborhood and climbing more trees.

The mother, her cubs nestled at her side, was sleeping early Thursday afternoon, but climbed down from the tree at about 2 p.m. and wandered through several residential backyards with her cubs in tow.

The three bears were first reported at about 8 a.m. in the 1400 block of Edgecliff Lane. LA County Sheriff's deputies responded to the residential area.

Deputies went door-to-door Thursday morning to let residents know about the bears, said Sgt. Debra Herman, watch commander with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

The bears were likely doing what bears do after winter hibernation -- looking for food.

"Bears are very, very lazy creatures," said Herman. "Mom is likely teaching them how to get into trash cans."

The bears were on a low branch until a gardener on Edgecliff Lane started a leaf blower, which apparently prompted the bears to scamper up the tree. After climbing down from the tree, the bears climbed a fence and at least two other trees.

Mother Bear, Two Cubs in Altadena Tree

Authorities have no plans to tranquilize the bears.

Officials with the California Department of Fish and Game said the mother bear may be spooked by all the media attention. To help accommodate wildlife experts who are monitoring the situation, Newschopper 4 is keeping its distance from the scene and using a zoom lens.